I am working in the manufacturing industry. There are 1,200 workers, but the canteen facility for them is not good. However, the canteen facility for the 450 staff members is very good. Please suggest what I should do to ensure equality in the canteen facilities for all. The 1,200 workers are an asset to the company.
From India, Pune
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From India, Pune
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When you say canteen facility, do you mean the food quality or other facilities like proper seating arrangements and the like?
In most of the companies I visit as a consultant, I see them outsourcing this service. They typically contract a good service provider to take care of everything.
Management's Role in Canteen Facilities
Management's cooperation and contribution play a vital role in providing such labor welfare facilities. During my time at DCW Limited, we made significant improvements (our canteen is management-subsidized and cooperative, serving over 700 workers plus 250 staff). We upgraded our kitchen to a centralized steam cooking facility, installed refrigerators, deep freezers for storage, new fiberglass tables and chairs, dishwashers, wall-mounted industrial fans, an Effluent Treatment Plant, a kitchen garden, LCD TVs, and a music system.
We hired two experienced chefs at a higher salary to prepare a variety of foods. However, it is crucial for management to support these initiatives. Consider engaging an experienced contractor for canteen services and oversee their work.
Before implementing any changes, ensure to consult with your unions, if applicable.
I appreciate your focus on this matter—providing good food can enhance employee loyalty. Companies like Rane and TVS groups prioritize this aspect.
All the best to you.
Regards,
Ganesh Ramachandran
From India, Tiruppur
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179In most of the companies I visit as a consultant, I see them outsourcing this service. They typically contract a good service provider to take care of everything.
Management's Role in Canteen Facilities
Management's cooperation and contribution play a vital role in providing such labor welfare facilities. During my time at DCW Limited, we made significant improvements (our canteen is management-subsidized and cooperative, serving over 700 workers plus 250 staff). We upgraded our kitchen to a centralized steam cooking facility, installed refrigerators, deep freezers for storage, new fiberglass tables and chairs, dishwashers, wall-mounted industrial fans, an Effluent Treatment Plant, a kitchen garden, LCD TVs, and a music system.
We hired two experienced chefs at a higher salary to prepare a variety of foods. However, it is crucial for management to support these initiatives. Consider engaging an experienced contractor for canteen services and oversee their work.
Before implementing any changes, ensure to consult with your unions, if applicable.
I appreciate your focus on this matter—providing good food can enhance employee loyalty. Companies like Rane and TVS groups prioritize this aspect.
All the best to you.
Regards,
Ganesh Ramachandran
From India, Tiruppur
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Thanks for your reply. I am going to have word with my Admin team and we will definatly give good quality of food to our employees..and we are planning to make good infrastructure as well
From India, Pune
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From India, Pune
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Normally, the canteens are run by canteen committees consisting of representatives of employers and employees or any department that runs it. You need to submit a grievance letter to this committee/department clearly listing out the areas and food items that need to be improved to enable them to address the specific issues. You can also make it a part of the agenda for discussion in the periodical meetings to be held between the unions and the company so that it attracts the attention of HR, and there will be some decision on the issues in the agenda.
Regards,
B. Saikumar
HR & Labour Law Advisor
Mumbai
From India, Mumbai
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Regards,
B. Saikumar
HR & Labour Law Advisor
Mumbai
From India, Mumbai
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You need to understand whether the quality difference is accepted by your management. If so, you need to convince your management. If not, being a member of the HR/Admin Department, you can take up the matter with the vendor directly or through your Department Head. In my opinion, there should not be any quality difference, at least in food, for any category of employees; after all, everyone works for the betterment of his or her organization. Throughout my career, I have never seen any difference in quality, whether you have a canteen committee or not.
Regards,
Narayanan
Manager - HR/IR
From India, Madras
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Regards,
Narayanan
Manager - HR/IR
From India, Madras
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Importance of Canteen Facilities for Workers
Workers are the backbone of the company. We need to provide proper canteen facilities for them, and it's a statutory requirement as well.
Forming a Canteen Committee
Form a Canteen Committee. The senior workers, especially those with a complaining nature, should also be members of that committee.
Caterer Selection and Menu Planning
If the staff canteen is good, the same caterer should be appointed for the Workmen's Canteen. A clear menu should be decided with the consent of the Workers' Canteen Committee and senior workers.
Quality and Hygiene Standards
Don't consider the workmen's canteen from a commercial perspective. Quality food grains should be utilized, and hygienic standards should be maintained on a regular basis. Introduce subsidiary rates and maintain a Complaint Book/Suggestion Box.
Meal Timings and Personnel
The canteen should provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The duration should be a maximum of 1 hour. If a worker spends more than 1 hour in the canteen comfortably, other workers won't be able to have their food, which will adversely affect productivity. Appoint personnel with commitment and dedication orientation.
Avoiding Monopolies and Ensuring Monitoring
Ensure there is no monopoly and no association with management members, local political parties, or trade unions. Admin/HR personnel should monitor the hygienic standards, menu, and food quality on a daily basis. Get more involved in this activity.
We wish you all the best.
Thank you,
Regards,
KBM Srinivas
Manager - Industrial Relations
L&T Limited.
From India, Rajamahendri
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Workers are the backbone of the company. We need to provide proper canteen facilities for them, and it's a statutory requirement as well.
Forming a Canteen Committee
Form a Canteen Committee. The senior workers, especially those with a complaining nature, should also be members of that committee.
Caterer Selection and Menu Planning
If the staff canteen is good, the same caterer should be appointed for the Workmen's Canteen. A clear menu should be decided with the consent of the Workers' Canteen Committee and senior workers.
Quality and Hygiene Standards
Don't consider the workmen's canteen from a commercial perspective. Quality food grains should be utilized, and hygienic standards should be maintained on a regular basis. Introduce subsidiary rates and maintain a Complaint Book/Suggestion Box.
Meal Timings and Personnel
The canteen should provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The duration should be a maximum of 1 hour. If a worker spends more than 1 hour in the canteen comfortably, other workers won't be able to have their food, which will adversely affect productivity. Appoint personnel with commitment and dedication orientation.
Avoiding Monopolies and Ensuring Monitoring
Ensure there is no monopoly and no association with management members, local political parties, or trade unions. Admin/HR personnel should monitor the hygienic standards, menu, and food quality on a daily basis. Get more involved in this activity.
We wish you all the best.
Thank you,
Regards,
KBM Srinivas
Manager - Industrial Relations
L&T Limited.
From India, Rajamahendri
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Needs guidline on canteen provisions and infrastructure with facilities if permanent workder 400, contractor workers 1000 and staff 400
From India
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From India
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All you have to do is provide good hygienic food in a hygienic environment, standardized according to the taste of the people eating there and in proper quantity (value for money). Don't overdo it either, because the more you give, the more they ask for. You will have to manage your budget. How much is the management ready to spend on the welfare of the people? Ensure proper portion control. Maintain personal and general hygiene. Make them aware of the health issues in the long term and discourage unhealthy food, such as too many fried items. Keep workers happy as far as food is concerned. Both the management and the workers will be happy.
Don't think that by doing this there will be no problems; there are always challenges everywhere. But if it is a genuine problem, please solve it as soon as possible. Don't try to gain popularity by giving them everything they ask for if you feel it's not healthy or within your means. Control wastage. I am speaking from my 20 years of experience in industrial companies.
Feel free to contact me at [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]
Regards,
Gautam Shastry (Dean, Jindal School of Hotel Management)
From India, Visnagar
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Don't think that by doing this there will be no problems; there are always challenges everywhere. But if it is a genuine problem, please solve it as soon as possible. Don't try to gain popularity by giving them everything they ask for if you feel it's not healthy or within your means. Control wastage. I am speaking from my 20 years of experience in industrial companies.
Feel free to contact me at [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]
Regards,
Gautam Shastry (Dean, Jindal School of Hotel Management)
From India, Visnagar
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I see that Mr. Amit T and Mr. Saikumar have given useful, practical answers to you. When it comes to food, everyone is equal, including the General Manager of the company. It would be beneficial to call a meeting of the workers to determine the root cause of their dissatisfaction with the food quality, etc. Only by understanding the reasons can you take steps to enhance the canteen facilities. Similarly, a meeting of the staff should be arranged to understand their perspectives. Approach it like a court judge, listen to both sides, and then make a judicious and wise decision based on the evidence and support provided. As this concerns food and canteen facilities, strive to be fair and impartial to both parties.
Regards,
M.J. Subramanyam, Bangalore
From India, Bangalore
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Regards,
M.J. Subramanyam, Bangalore
From India, Bangalore
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The first thing you should do is to make proper seating arrangements for the staff and ensure proper ventilation. Secondly, arrange for one person from the admin team to check the food quality and hygiene. Plates and spoons must be washed and cleaned neatly. Ensure that the water facility is good, and glasses are clean. Additionally, the staff serving food to employees should wear caps and gloves.
Maintain a register to collect feedback from employees regarding the food and other arrangements. These are some important points that should be implemented in your cafeteria.
Best regards,
Meenu
From India, Gurgaon
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Maintain a register to collect feedback from employees regarding the food and other arrangements. These are some important points that should be implemented in your cafeteria.
Best regards,
Meenu
From India, Gurgaon
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I'm from this industry and have vast experience in managing several large industrial canteens. Please be specific in your complaints. Address your problems to your HR department; they need to initiate appropriate action.
Canteen Management Questions
Is the canteen run by an in-house department or outsourced? Is the food subsidized by the company or payable by employees? What's the food rate applicable in your canteen?
I'm sure the facilities will improve once management's attention is drawn.
Regards,
R S Dev. MIH
From United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
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Canteen Management Questions
Is the canteen run by an in-house department or outsourced? Is the food subsidized by the company or payable by employees? What's the food rate applicable in your canteen?
I'm sure the facilities will improve once management's attention is drawn.
Regards,
R S Dev. MIH
From United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
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